U.S. patent number 10,269,199 [Application Number 15/716,742] was granted by the patent office on 2019-04-23 for system and method for providing energy efficient hands free vehicle door operation.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Honda Motor Co., Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is Honda Motor Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Brian K. Lickfelt.
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United States Patent |
10,269,199 |
Lickfelt |
April 23, 2019 |
System and method for providing energy efficient hands free vehicle
door operation
Abstract
A method and system for providing energy efficient hands free
vehicle door operation that includes receiving a first LF polling
signal of a pair of LF polling signals and creating a first RF
polling response message packet in response to the first LF polling
signal. The method and system also include receiving a second LF
polling signal of the pair of LF polling signals and creating a
second RF polling response message packet in response to the second
LF polling signal. The method and system further include
aggregating the first RF polling response message packet and the
second RF polling response message packet into an aggregated RF
polling response message packet that is contained within an
aggregated RF polling response signal that is transmitted from a
portable device to a vehicle in response to the pair of LF polling
signals.
Inventors: |
Lickfelt; Brian K. (Powell,
OH) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. |
Tokyo |
N/A |
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
65807628 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/716,742 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20190096151 A1 |
Mar 28, 2019 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
81/78 (20130101); G07C 9/00309 (20130101); G07C
2009/00357 (20130101); G07C 2209/08 (20130101); G07C
2009/00793 (20130101); G07C 2209/63 (20130101); G07C
2009/00388 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07C
9/00 (20060101); E05B 81/78 (20140101) |
Field of
Search: |
;340/5.61,5.72 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Holloway, III; Edwin C
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rankin, Hill & Clark LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A computer-implemented method for providing energy efficient
hands free vehicle door operation comprising: receiving a first LF
polling signal of a pair of LF polling signals transmitted from a
vehicle to a portable device; creating a first RF polling response
message packet in response to the first LF polling signal, wherein
the first RF polling response message packet includes a first data
payload portion that includes data that pertains to a location of
the portable device; receiving a second LF polling signal of the
pair of LF polling signals transmitted from the vehicle to the
portable device; creating a second RF polling response message
packet in response to the second LF polling signal, wherein the
second RF polling response message packet includes a second data
payload portion that includes data that pertains to the location of
the portable device; and aggregating the first RF polling response
message packet and the second RF polling response message packet
into an aggregated RF polling response message packet that is
contained within an aggregated RF polling response signal that is
transmitted from the portable device to the vehicle in response to
the pair of LF polling signals, wherein a received signal strength
of the aggregated RF polling response signal is evaluated to
determine actuation of a powered unlocking, opening, locking and
closing of at least one vehicle door.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein receiving
the first LF polling signal of the pair of LF polling signals
includes receiving at least one of: a first high powered LF polling
signal that is transmitted to the portable device to determine if
the portable device is located within a wide area polling zone, and
a first low powered LF polling signal that is transmitted to the
portable device to determine if the portable device is located
within at least one local area polling zone of the vehicle.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein creating the
first RF polling response message packet includes creating the
first RF polling response message packet with a plurality of
portions, wherein the plurality of portions include the first data
payload portion, a header portion, a fixed code portion, a rolling
code portion, a data payload portion, and a check-sum portion.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein receiving
the second LF polling signal of the pair of LF polling signals
includes receiving at least one of: a second high powered LF
polling signal that is transmitted to the portable device to
determine if the portable device is located within a wide area
polling zone, and a second low powered LF polling signal that is
transmitted to the portable device to determine if the portable
device is located within at least one local area polling zone of
the vehicle.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein creating the
second RF polling response message packet includes creating the
second RF polling response message packet with a plurality of
portions, wherein the plurality of portions include the second data
payload portion, a header portion, a fixed code portion, a rolling
code portion, a data payload portion, and a check-sum portion.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein aggregating
the first RF polling response message packet and the second RF
polling response message packet includes partially creating the
aggregated RF response message packet with a header portion, a
fixed code portion, a rolling code portion, and a check-sum portion
of the first RF polling response message packet and aggregating the
first data payload portion of the first RF response message packet
and the second data payload portion of the second RF response
message packet into an aggregated data payload portion.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein aggregating
the first RF polling response message packet and the second RF
polling response message packet includes completing creation of the
aggregated RF response message packet with a header portion, a
fixed code portion, a rolling code portion and a check-sum portion
of the second RF polling response message packet, wherein the
aggregated RF response message contains the aggregated data payload
portion based on the aggregation of the first data payload portion
of the first RF response message packet and the second data payload
portion of the second RF response message packet.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further including
evaluating a received signal strength difference value between the
aggregated RF response signal and a subsequently created aggregated
RF response signal to determine if the portable device is
stationary for a predetermined period of time within at least one
local area polling zone of the vehicle.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, further including
supplying an amount of power to a motor associated with the at
least one vehicle door to open or close the at least one vehicle
door if it is determined that the portable device is stationary for
the predetermined period of time.
10. A system for providing energy efficient hands free vehicle door
operation comprising: a memory storing instructions when executed
by a processor cause the processor to: receive a first LF polling
signal of a pair of LF polling signals transmitted from a vehicle
to a portable device; create a first RF polling response message
packet in response to the first LF polling signal, wherein the
first RF polling response message packet includes a first data
payload portion that includes data that pertains to a location of
the portable device; receive a second LF polling signal of the pair
of LF polling signals transmitted from the vehicle to the portable
device; create a second RF polling response message packet in
response to the second LF polling signal, wherein the second RF
polling response message packet includes a second data payload
portion that includes data that pertains to the location of the
portable device; and aggregate the first RF polling response
message packet and the second RF polling response message packet
into an aggregated RF polling response message packet that is
contained within an aggregated RF polling response signal that is
transmitted from the portable device to the vehicle in response to
the pair of LF polling signals, wherein a received signal strength
of the aggregated RF polling response signal is evaluated to
determine actuation of a powered unlocking, opening, locking and
closing of at least one vehicle door.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein receiving the first LF polling
signal of the pair of LF polling signals includes receiving at
least one of: a first high powered LF polling signal that is
transmitted to the portable device to determine if the portable
device is located within a wide area polling zone, and a first low
powered LF polling signal that is transmitted to the portable
device to determine if the portable device is located within at
least one local area polling zone of the vehicle.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein creating the first RF polling
response message packet includes creating the first RF polling
response message packet with a plurality of portions, wherein the
plurality of portions include the first data payload portion, a
header portion, a fixed code portion, a rolling code portion, a
data payload portion, and a check-sum portion.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein receiving the second LF polling
signal of the pair of LF polling signals includes receiving at
least one of: a second high powered LF polling signal that is
transmitted to the portable device to determine if the portable
device is located within a wide area polling zone, and a second low
powered LF polling signal that is transmitted to the portable
device to determine if the portable device is located within at
least one local area polling zone of the vehicle.
14. The system of claim 10, wherein creating the second RF polling
response message packet includes creating the second RF polling
response message packet with a plurality of portions, wherein the
plurality of portions include the second data payload portion, a
header portion, a fixed code portion, a rolling code portion, a
data payload portion, and a check-sum portion.
15. The system of claim 10, wherein aggregating the first RF
polling response message packet and the second RF polling response
message packet includes partially creating the aggregated RF
response message packet with a header portion, a fixed code
portion, a rolling code portion, and a check-sum portion of the
first RF polling response message packet and aggregating the first
data payload portion of the first RF response message packet and
the second data payload portion of the second RF response message
packet into an aggregated data payload portion.
16. The system of claim 10, wherein aggregating the first RF
polling response message packet and the second RF polling response
message packet includes completing creation of the aggregated RF
response message packet with a header portion, a fixed code
portion, a rolling code portion and a check-sum portion of the
second RF polling response message packet, wherein the aggregated
RF response message contains the aggregated data payload portion
based on the aggregation of the first data payload portion of the
first RF response message packet and the second data payload
portion of the second RF response message packet.
17. The system of claim 10, further including evaluating a received
signal strength difference value between the aggregated RF response
signal and a subsequently created aggregated RF response signal to
determine if the portable device is stationary for a predetermined
period of time within at least one local area polling zone of the
vehicle.
18. The system of claim 10, further including supplying an amount
of power to a motor associated with the at least one vehicle door
to open or close the at least one vehicle door if it is determined
that the portable device is stationary for the predetermined period
of time.
19. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing
instructions that, when executed by a computer, which includes at
least a processor, causes the computer to perform a method, the
method comprising: receiving a first LF polling signal of a pair of
LF polling signals transmitted from a vehicle to a portable device;
creating a first RF polling response message packet in response to
the first LF polling signal, wherein the first RF polling response
message packet includes a first data payload portion that includes
data that pertains to a location of the portable device; receiving
a second LF polling signal of the pair of LF polling signals
transmitted from the vehicle to the portable device; creating a
second RF polling response message packet in response to the second
LF polling signal, wherein the second RF polling response message
packet includes a second data payload portion that includes data
that pertains to the location of the portable device; and
aggregating the first RF polling response message packet and the
second RF polling response message packet into an aggregated RF
polling response message packet that is contained within an
aggregated RF polling response signal that is transmitted from the
portable device to the vehicle in response to the pair of LF
polling signals, wherein a received signal strength of the
aggregated RF polling response signal is evaluated to determine
actuation of a powered unlocking, opening, locking and closing of
at least one vehicle door.
20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim
19, wherein aggregating the first RF polling response message
packet and the second RF polling response message packet includes
aggregating the first data payload portion of the first RF response
message packet and the second data payload portion of the second RF
response message packet into an aggregated data payload portion,
wherein the aggregated RF response message contains the aggregated
data payload portion.
Description
BACKGROUND
Many vehicles today include systems that may allow powered opening
and closing of vehicle doors that include a tailgate door. Many of
these systems require an individual to perform some type of action
to instruct the systems that the vehicle door should be opened or
closed. For example, some systems require individuals to perform
specific actions in a specific manner once a key fob held by the
individual is determined to be in a predetermined vicinity of the
vehicle in order to instruct the systems to actuate powered opening
or closing of the vehicle door. In many cases, the presence of the
key fob within a predetermined vicinity of the vehicle door is
determined based on a continuous transmission of LF polling signals
by a vehicle and a transmission of corresponding RF polling
response signals by the key fob that are sent in response to each
of the continuous LF polling signals. This continuous polling and
responding may occur within a rapid frequency (e.g., every 100-500
ms) causing a high load on the battery of the key fob as the key
fob responds to each of the LF polling signals continuously
received. Therefore, expiration of charging power of the battery of
the key fob may rapidly occur thereby disallowing the functionality
of the key fob for a prolonged period of time and limiting the
functionality with respect to powered opening and closing of
vehicle doors.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
According to one aspect, a computer-implemented method for
providing energy efficient hands free vehicle door operation that
includes receiving a first LF polling signal of a pair of LF
polling signals transmitted from a vehicle to a portable device and
creating a first RF polling response message packet in response to
the first LF polling signal. The first RF polling response message
packet includes a first data payload portion that includes data
that pertains to a location of the portable device. The method also
includes receiving a second LF polling signal of the pair of LF
polling signals transmitted from the vehicle to the portable device
and creating a second RF polling response message packet in
response to the second LF polling signal. The second RF polling
response message packet includes a second data payload portion that
includes data that pertains to the location of the portable device.
The method further includes aggregating the first RF polling
response message packet and the second RF polling response message
packet into an aggregated RF polling response message packet that
is contained within an aggregated RF polling response signal that
is transmitted from the portable device to the vehicle in response
to the pair of LF polling signals. A received signal strength of
the aggregated RF polling response signal is evaluated to determine
actuation of a powered unlocking, opening, locking and closing of
at least one vehicle door.
According to another aspect, a system for providing hands free
operation of at least one vehicle door is provided. The system
includes a memory storing instructions that, when executed by a
processor, cause the processor to receive a first LF polling signal
of a pair of LF polling signals transmitted from a vehicle to a
portable device and create a first RF polling response message
packet in response to the first LF polling signal. The first RF
polling response message packet includes a first data payload
portion that includes data that pertains to a location of the
portable device. The instructions also cause the processor to
receive a second LF polling signal of the pair of LF polling
signals transmitted from the vehicle to the portable device and
create a second RF polling response message packet in response to
the second LF polling signal. The second RF polling response
message packet includes a second data payload portion that includes
data that pertains to the location of the portable device. The
instructions further cause the processor to aggregate the first RF
polling response message packet and the second RF polling response
message packet into an aggregated RF polling response message
packet that is contained within an aggregated RF polling response
signal that is transmitted from the portable device to the vehicle
in response to the pair of LF polling signals. A received signal
strength of the aggregated RF polling response signal is evaluated
to determine actuation of a powered unlocking, opening, locking and
closing of at least one vehicle door.
According to still another aspect, a non-transitory computer
readable storage medium stores instructions that, when executed by
a computer, which includes at least a processor, causes the
computer to perform a method that includes receiving a first LF
polling signal of a pair of LF polling signals transmitted from a
vehicle to a portable device and creating a first RF polling
response message packet in response to the first LF polling signal.
The first RF polling response message packet includes a first data
payload portion that includes data that pertains to a location of
the portable device. The method also includes receiving a second LF
polling signal of the pair of LF polling signals transmitted from
the vehicle to the portable device and creating a second RF polling
response message packet in response to the second LF polling
signal. The second RF polling response message packet includes a
second data payload portion that includes data that pertains to the
location of the portable device. The instructions further include
aggregating the first RF polling response message packet and the
second RF polling response message packet into an aggregated RF
polling response message packet that is contained within an
aggregated RF polling response signal that is transmitted from the
portable device to the vehicle in response to the pair of LF
polling signals. A received signal strength of the aggregated RF
polling response signal is evaluated to determine actuation of a
powered unlocking, opening, locking and closing of at least one
vehicle door.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary operating
environment of an energy efficient smart entry hands free system
within a vehicle for reducing battery consumption of a portable
device during hands free operation of at least one vehicle door
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary portable device
of the energy efficient smart entry hands free system according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary operating
environment of a hands free door application according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4A is an illustrative example of operation of the hands free
door application during disablement of an energy efficient mode of
the portable device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure;
FIG. 4B is an illustrative example of operation of the hands free
door application during enablement of the energy efficient mode of
the portable device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure;
FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram of a method for creating an
aggregated RF polling response signal during enablement of the
energy efficient mode of the portable device according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6A is a process flow diagram of a first part of a method for
providing hands free powered opening of at least one vehicle door
during enablement of the energy efficient mode of the portable
device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 6B is a process flow diagram of a second part of a method for
providing hands free powered opening of at least one vehicle door
during enablement of the energy efficient mode of the portable
device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure; and
FIG. 7 is a process flow diagram of a method for providing energy
efficient hands free vehicle door operation according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following includes definitions of selected terms employed
herein. The definitions include various examples and/or forms of
components that fall within the scope of a term and that can be
used for implementation. The examples are not intended to be
limiting.
A "bus,` as used herein, refers to an interconnected architecture
that is operably connected to transfer data between computer
components within a singular or multiple systems. The bus can be a
memory bus, a memory controller, a peripheral bus, an external bus,
a crossbar switch, and/or a local bus, among others. The bus can
also be a vehicle bus that interconnects components inside a
vehicle using protocols such as Controller Area network (CAN),
Media Oriented System Transport (MOST), Local Interconnect Network
(LIN), among others.
"Computer communication", as used herein, refers to a communication
between two or more computing devices (e.g., computer, personal
digital assistant, cellular telephone, network device) and can be,
for example, a network transfer, a file transfer, an applet
transfer, an email, a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) transfer,
and so on. A computer communication can occur across, for example,
a wireless system (e.g., IEEE 802.11), an Ethernet system (e.g.,
IEEE 802.3), a token ring system (e.g., IEEE 802.5), a local area
network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a point-to-point system,
a circuit switching system, a packet switching system, among
others.
An "input device" as used herein can include devices for
controlling different vehicle features which include various
vehicle components, systems, and subsystems. The term "input
device" includes, but it not limited to: push buttons, rotary
knobs, and the like. The term "input device" additionally includes
graphical input controls that take place within a user interface
which can be displayed by various types of mechanisms such as
software and hardware based controls, interfaces, or plug and play
devices.
A "memory," as used herein can include volatile memory and/or
nonvolatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include, for example,
ROM (read only memory), PROM (programmable read only memory), EPROM
(erasable PROM) and EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM). Volatile
memory can include, for example, RAM (random access memory),
synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM
(SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), and direct RAM bus RAM
(DRRAM).
A "module", as used herein, includes, but is not limited to,
hardware, firmware, software in execution on a machine, and/or
combinations of each to perform a function(s) or an action(s),
and/or to cause a function or action from another module, method,
and/or system. A module can include a software controlled
microprocessor, a discrete logic circuit, an analog circuit, a
digital circuit, a programmed logic device, a memory device
containing executing instructions, and so on.
An "operable connection," as used herein can include a connection
by which entities are "operably connected", is one in which
signals, physical communications, and/or logical communications can
be sent and/or received. An operable connection can include a
physical interface, a data interface and/or an electrical
interface.
An "output device" as used herein can include devices that can
derive from vehicle components, systems, subsystems, and electronic
devices. The term "output devices" includes, but is not limited to:
display devices, and other devices for outputting information and
functions.
A "processor", as used herein, processes signals and performs
general computing and arithmetic functions. Signals processed by
the processor can include digital signals, data signals, computer
instructions, processor instructions, messages, a bit, a bit
stream, or other means that can be received, transmitted and/or
detected. Generally, the processor can be a variety of various
processors including multiple single and multicore processors and
co-processors and other multiple single and multicore processor and
co-processor architectures. The processor can include various
modules to execute various functions.
A "vehicle", as used herein, refers to any moving vehicle that is
capable of carrying one or more human occupants and is powered by
any form of energy. The term "vehicle" includes, but is not limited
to: cars, trucks, vans, minivans, SUVs, motorcycles, scooters,
boats, personal watercraft, and aircraft. In some cases, a motor
vehicle includes one or more engines.
A "vehicle system", as used herein can include, but are not limited
to, any automatic or manual systems that can be used to enhance the
vehicle, driving and/or safety. Exemplary vehicle systems include,
but are not limited to: an electronic stability control system, an
anti-lock brake system, a brake assist system, an automatic brake
prefill system, a low speed follow system, a cruise control system,
a collision warning system, a collision mitigation braking system,
an auto cruise control system, a lane departure warning system, a
blind spot indicator system, a lane keep assist system, a
navigation system, a transmission system, brake pedal systems, an
electronic power steering system, visual devices (e.g., camera
systems, proximity sensor systems), a climate control system, an
electronic pretensioning system, among others.
A "value" and "level", as used herein can include, but is not
limited to, a numerical or other kind of value or level such as a
percentage, a non-numerical value, a discrete state, a discrete
value, a continuous value, among others. The term "value of X" or
"level of X" as used throughout this detailed description and in
the claims refers to any numerical or other kind of value for
distinguishing between two or more states of X. For example, in
some cases, the value or level of X may be given as a percentage
between 0% and 100%. In other cases, the value or level of X could
be a value in the range between 1 and 10. In still other cases, the
value or level of X may not be a numerical value, but could be
associated with a given discrete state, such as "not X", "slightly
x", "x", "very x" and "extremely x".
I. System Overview
Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for
purposes of illustrating one or more exemplary embodiments and not
for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic
view of an exemplary operating environment of an energy efficient
smart entry hands free system 100 of a vehicle 102 and a portable
device 126 for reducing battery consumption of the portable device
126 during hands free operation of at least one vehicle door
104a-104e according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure. The components of the system 100, as well as the
components of other systems, hardware architectures and software
architectures discussed herein, can be combined, omitted or
organized into different architecture for various embodiments.
However, the exemplary embodiments discussed herein focus on the
environment as illustrated in FIG. 1, with corresponding system
components, and related methods.
With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in an exemplary embodiment,
the system 100 may be utilized by a portable device 126 (e.g., key
fob) that may be operated in an energy efficient mode. In one or
more embodiments, the energy efficient mode may be enabled by
default and may also be disabled and/or re-enabled based on a user
input. During enablement of the energy efficient mode of the
portable device 126, the portable device 126 may transmit a reduced
number of RF response signal transmissions to the vehicle 102 based
on the reception of a plurality of continuous LF polling signals
that are transmitted from the vehicle 102 (e.g., at a rapid rate of
every 100 ms-500 ms apart). As discussed in more detail below, the
system 100 may be utilized to transmit a single aggregated RF
response signal by aggregating (e.g., doubling, combining) data
payload portions of two RF response message packets that are
transmitted in the form of the single aggregated RF polling
response signal. In other words, during the enablement of the
energy efficient mode, the portable device 126 may transmit the
aggregated RF polling response signal in response to the reception
of two received LF polling signals. When the energy efficient mode
is disabled, the portable device 126 may transmit two RF polling
response signals in response to the reception of the two received
LF polling signals.
Consequently, when the energy efficient mode of the portable device
126 is enabled, the system 100 ensures that the portable device 126
transmits the aggregated RF response signal that includes a packet
with an aggregated data payload portion rather than transmitting
two separate RF polling response signals that each include a packet
with two respective data payload portions in response to two LF
polling signals received from the vehicle 102. This functionality
may result in the transmission of a plurality of RF polling
response signals at a lower response rate during a fixed period of
time, thereby reducing an overall RF transmission time and reducing
a load on battery 204 of the portable device 126.
As additionally discussed below (with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B),
during enablement of the energy efficient mode, the system 100 may
ensure additional portions of the two RF polling response signals
that include, but may not be limited to, a header portion, a fixed
code (cryptology) portion, a rolling code portion, and a check-sum
portion are added as non-aggregated portions within the aggregated
RF response message packet contained within the aggregated RF
response signal. More specifically, the duplication of the
aforementioned portions may be eliminated within the aggregated RF
polling response and the data payload portions may be aggregated to
be added within the aggregated RF response message packet that is
contained within the RF polling response signal transmitted from
the portable device 126 to the vehicle 102. As discussed in more
detail below, one or more aggregated RF polling response signals
may be utilized by the system 100 to provide hands free operation
of the at least one vehicle door 104a-104e. In particular, the
evaluation of the location of the received aggregated RF polling
response signals may be used to automate a powered unlocking and
locking of one or more locks 122a-122e of one or more vehicle doors
104a-104e of the vehicle 102 by one or more motors 106a-106e
associated with one or more of the respective vehicle doors
104a-104e. Additionally, the evaluation of the location of the
received aggregated RF polling response signals may be used to
automate a powered opening and closing of one or more vehicle doors
104a-104e of the vehicle 102 by one or more motors 106a-106e
associated with one or more of the respective vehicle doors
104a-104e.
With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, as described in more detail
below, the creation and evaluation of the aggregated RF polling
response signal(s), the automated unlocking and locking of the one
or more locks 122a-122e of the one or more vehicle doors 104a-104e,
and the automated powered opening and closing of one or more of the
vehicle doors 104a-104e may be based on one or more execution
commands sent by a hands free door operation application 108
(hereinafter referred to as hands free door application) executed
by an electronic control unit 110 (ECU) of the vehicle 102 and a
microprocessor 202 of the portable device 126. The commands may be
provided based on determinations that an authorized individual who
is holding the portable device 126 is located within a
predetermined vicinity of the vehicle 102 that is located outside
of a space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104a-104e and is
stationary within the predetermined vicinity of the vehicle 102 for
a predetermined period of time. This determination may be made
based on the reception and evaluation of aggregated data payload
portions that include data that pertains to the location of the
portable device 126 contained within one or more aggregated RF
polling response signals transmitted by the portable device 126 as
the energy efficient mode of the portable device 126 is enabled.
Additionally, in one embodiment, the hands free door application
108 may provide commands to provide an amount of power to close one
or more of the vehicle doors 104a-104e based on an evaluation of
one or more aggregated RF polling response signals transmitted by
the portable device 126 as the energy efficient mode of the
portable device 126 is enabled.
In an exemplary embodiment, the ECU 110 operably controls the
vehicle 102 and its components that may include, but are not
limited to the components shown in FIG. 1. The ECU 110 may include
a microprocessor, one or more application-specific integrated
circuit(s) (ASICs), or other similar devices. The ECU 110 may also
include internal processing memory, an interface circuit, and bus
lines for transferring data, sending commands, and communicating
with the systems and components of the vehicle 102. Generally, the
ECU 110 includes a processor and memory (not shown). The ECU 110
also includes a separate communications device (not shown) for
sending data internally in the vehicle 102.
In one or more embodiments, in addition to the aforementioned
components of the system 100, the vehicle 102 may include a power
control unit 112, a communication control unit 114, a storage unit
116, one or more transceivers 118a-118h, one or more motion sensors
120a-120e, the door locks 122a-122e, and door input buttons
124a-124e. As discussed below, the communication control unit 114
of the vehicle 102 may utilize the one or more transceivers
118a-118h to continually transmit LF polling signals to the
portable device 126 and receive RF polling response signals (e.g.,
that may include aggregated RF polling response signals) from the
portable device 126.
In one embodiment, the storage unit 116 of the vehicle 102 may
include various memories such as, for example L1, L2, or L3 cache
or system memory. As such, the memory may include static random
access memory (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), flash memory, read only
memory (ROM), or other similar memory devices. The storage unit 116
may be utilized to store one or more operating systems,
applications, associated operating system data, application data,
vehicle system and subsystem user interface data, and the like that
may be executed by the ECU 110.
In an exemplary embodiment, as described in more detail below, one
or more of the vehicle doors 104a-104e may include, but may not be
limited to, a left side front door 104a, a left side rear door
104b, a right side front door 104c, a right side rear door 104d,
and a tailgate door 104e. One or more of the vehicle doors
104a-104e may include the associated motor 106a-106e that may
operate the respective vehicle doors 104a-104e and the respective
door locks 122a-122e based on signals sent and received from the
hands free door application 108. In one or more embodiments, one or
more of the vehicle doors 104a-104e may include an automatically
lifting door (e.g., lift gate door), a swinging door, or sliding
door (specific door configurations not shown) that may be manually
opened or closed and/or opened or closed based on the operation of
one or more of the associated motors 106a-106e that are supplied
power by the power control unit 112 of the vehicle 102.
Additionally, the associated motor 106a-106e may operate the lock
122a-122e of each of the respective vehicle doors 104a-104e based
on signals sent and received from the hands free door application
108. The lock(s) 122a-122e may function to be locked or unlocked by
the respective motor 106a-106e based on the operation of one or
more of the associated motors 106a-106e that are supplied power by
the power control unit 112 of the vehicle 102. As discussed below,
the unlocking or locking of the one or more door locks 122a-122e,
and the opening or closing of the one or more vehicle doors
104a-104e may be determined based on processing completed by the
hands free door application 108.
In one or more embodiments, the one or more doors 104a-104e may
include the respective door input buttons 124a-124e. The door input
buttons 124a-124e may communicate with various components of the
vehicle 102 including the ECU 110 to partially control operation of
one or more of the vehicle doors 104a-104e. For example, the door
input buttons 124a-124e may be inputted by an individual to
indicate that the individual intends for the tailgate door 104e to
be closed upon walking away from the tailgate door 104e, entering
the vehicle 102, placing an object(s) within the vehicle 102,
and/or removing object(s) from the vehicle 102.
In an exemplary embodiment, the communication control unit 114 of
the vehicle 102 is operably connected to the one or more
transceivers 118a-118h in addition to the ECU 110, and the power
control unit 112. The communication control unit 114 may be
configured to control operation of the one or more transceivers
118a-118h to continually transmit the LF polling signals to the
portable device 126. Additionally, the communication control unit
114 may be configured to control operation of the one or more
transceivers 118a-118h to receive one or more RF polling response
signals (e.g., that may include one or more aggregated RF polling
response signals) from the portable device 126.
In one embodiment, the communication control unit 114 may send one
or more commands to the transceiver(s) 118a-118h to send one or
more pairs of LF polling signals at one or more signal strengths
and at one or more frequencies based on one or more commands
received by the communication control unit 114 from the hands free
door application 108 and/or the ECU 110. Additionally, the
communication control unit 114 may send the one or more commands to
the transceiver(s) 118a-118h to send the one or more pairs of LF
polling signals at one or more signal strengths and at one or more
frequencies based on one or more amounts of power supplied to the
transceivers(s) 118a-118h by the power control unit 112, as may be
determined by the hands free door application 108 and/or the ECU
110.
In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more transceivers 118a-118h
may be capable of providing wireless computer communications
utilizing various protocols to be used to send/receive electronic
signals internally to components and systems within the vehicle 102
and to external devices including the one or more portable devices
126. The one or more transceivers 118a-118h may include respective
transmitter antennas (not shown) and receiver antennas (not shown)
that may be separate components or may be configured as a single
component. The one or more transceivers 118a-118h may be included
at one or more areas of the vehicle 102 that may be utilized to
determine a location of the portable device 126 and/or a movement
of the portable device 126 with respect to the vehicle 102 and/or
specifically with respect to one or more of the vehicle doors
104a-104e based on received signal strength (RSSI)
measurements.
As discussed below, during the enablement of the energy efficient
mode of the portable device 126, the RSSI measurements may be made
based on an evaluation of the aggregated data payload portions of
aggregated RF response message packets contained within the
received aggregated RF polling response signals transmitted by the
portable device 126. As shown in FIG. 1, transceivers 118a-118h may
be provided within a vicinity of each of the vehicle doors
104a-104e, at a front portion 128a of the vehicle 102, at a middle
portion 128b of the vehicle 102, and at a rear portion 128c (e.g.,
trunk) of the vehicle 102 to continually transmit LF polling
signals and receive the aggregated RF polling response signals from
the portable device 126 located within a vicinity of the vehicle
102.
In one or more embodiments, the one or more transceivers 118a-118h
may be operably controlled to continually transmit the LF polling
signals to a plurality of zones (e.g., areas around the vehicle
102/one or more vehicle doors 104a-104e) at one or more
predetermined polling frequencies. In one embodiment, the plurality
of zones may include a wide area polling zone 130 and local area
polling zones 132a-132f that include a predetermined area(s) around
the vehicle 102. In particular, the local area polling zones
132a-132f may include predetermined area(s) around the vehicle 102
that are in close proximity (near) the respective vehicle door(s)
104a-104e.
In an exemplary embodiment, predetermined areas within the local
area polling zones 132a-132e (located near the respective vehicle
doors 104a-104e) may be identified as a plurality of door area
zones 134a-134e. In particular, the plurality of door area zones
134a-134e may include the predetermined areas within the local area
polling zones 132a-132e that include a space that may be occupied
by the respective vehicle door(s) 104a-104e when the vehicle
door(s) 104a-104e is being opened or closed. The door area zones
134a-134e may represent respective areas near the vehicle doors
104a-104e that may be deemed as a space where individuals and/or
objects may interfere with the opening and/closing of the
respective vehicle doors 104a-104e and may constitute as a hazard
with respect to automatically opening and/or closing of the
respective vehicle doors 104a-104e. For example, the door area
zones 134a-134e may include a maximum amount of space utilized when
the vehicle door(s) 104a-104e are being swung opened or swung
closed.
With reference to FIG. 2, in an exemplary embodiment, the portable
device 126 may include, but are not limited to, one or more of
electronic key fobs, smart keys, mobile electronic devices, remote
controls, and the like. Several functions of the vehicle 102 may be
controlled by user input that is provided on the one or more
portable devices 126 that influence and/or command the ECU 110
and/or the hands free door application 108 to control the
components of the system 100 based on wireless computer
communication between the portable device 126 and the
transceiver(s) 118a-118h of the vehicle 102.
In one embodiment, the microprocessor 202 of the portable device
126 is utilized to operably control components of the portable
device 126 and to execute the hands free door application 108. The
microprocessor 202 may include memory, an interface circuit, and
bus lines, for transferring data, sending commands, communicating
with the various components and controlling an overall operation of
the portable device 126. In one embodiment, the microprocessor 202
may store a specific identification code that specifically
corresponds to the portable device 126 to be used as an
identification mechanism by the vehicle 102. The identification
code may be inputted within the fixed code portion of each RF
response message packet created by the application 108 and may be
utilized as an identification mechanism by the ECU 110 of the
vehicle 102.
The microprocessor 202 may be operably connected to the battery 204
of the portable device 126. The battery 204 may include a lithium
battery (e.g., 3 volt lithium battery) that may be utilized to
power the components of the portable device 126. As discussed,
typically transmitting RF polling response signals in response to
each of the continuous polling signals transmitted by the one or
more respective transceivers 118a-118h may consume a large amount
of power of the battery 204. For example, a majority of the power
consumption of the battery 204 may result based on the transmission
by a RF transceiver 210 of RF polling response signals that are
transmitted in one-to-one response to each of the continuously
received LF polling signals. Therefore, the hands free door
application 108 ensures that the aggregation of the data payload
portions of the at least two RF polling response signals
transmitted by the portable device 126 and the elimination of the
duplication (e.g., repetition) of other portions of the at least
two RF packets is completed to reduce the overall current
consumption on the battery 204 (e.g. by 30%).
The microprocessor 202 may additionally be connected to a storage
206 of the portable device 126. The storage 206 may include various
memories such as, for example L1, L2, or L3 cache or system memory.
As such, the memory may include static random access memory (SRAM),
dynamic RAM (DRAM), flash memory, read only memory (ROM), or other
similar memory devices. The storage 206 may be utilized to store
one or more operating systems, applications, associated operating
system data, application data, and the like that may be executed by
the ECU 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the hands free door
application 108 may utilize the storage 206 to store one or more RF
response message packets that are produced in response to
respective received LF polling signals. As discussed below, these
RF response message packets may be stored on the storage 206 for
evaluation and aggregation with at least one additional RF response
message packet that is produced in response to a subsequently
respective LF polling signal.
In one embodiment, the portable device 126 may also include a LF
transceiver 208 that may be configured to receive the continuous
and LF polling signals from the vehicle 102. In particular, the LF
transceiver 208 may receive polling signals that are transmitted by
the one or more transceivers 118a-118h within the wide area polling
zone 130 and the one or more local area polling zones 132a-132f. In
some embodiments, the LF transceiver 208 may be configured to
transmit LF signals to the vehicle 102 and/or other devices outside
of the vehicle 102 (e.g., garage door opener).
The portable device 126 may additionally include a RF transceiver
210 that may be configured to transmit the aggregated RF polling
response signals to the vehicle 102. For at least every two of the
LF polling signals transmitted by the transceiver(s) 118a-118h of
the vehicle 102 and received by the LF transceiver 208, the RF
transceiver 210 may transmit a single aggregated RF polling
response signals back to the one or more transceivers 118a-118h of
the vehicle 102. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver 210 may
also be configured to receive RF signals from the vehicle 102
and/or other devices outside of the vehicle 102 (e.g., garage door
opener).
In one or more embodiments, the portable device 106 may include
input buttons 212 that may include, but are not limited to, door
lock buttons, door unlock buttons, door open/close start/stop
button (individual buttons not shown). In one embodiment, the input
buttons 212 may additionally include an input button or a toggle
switch which may be utilized to disable the energy efficient mode
from the default enabled energy efficient mode. The disablement of
the energy efficient mode may ensure that the hands free door
application 108 discontinues aggregation of every two RF polling
response signals created in response to two received LF polling
signals. In one embodiment, the input button or toggle switch of
the input buttons 212 may also be inputted by the user to re-enable
the energy efficient mode of the portable device 126 to again
aggregate every two RF polling response signals in response to two
received LF polling signals, and again transmit the aggregated RF
polling response signals in response to each received LF polling
signal.
The hands free door application 108 will now be discussed in more
detail. FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary
operating environment of the hands free door application 108
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As
shown in FIG. 3, in an illustrative embodiment, the hands free door
application 108 may include one or more modules 302-306 that may
include a packet determinant module 302, a polling signal module
304, and a door actuation module 306.
In operation, when the energy efficient mode of the portable device
126 is enabled, the packet determinant module 302 may operate to
aggregate two RF polling response signals created to respond to two
consecutively received LF polling signals into the (single)
aggregated RF response signal. This functionality allows the
portable device 126 to respond to the LF polling signals sent by
the vehicle 102 at a longer response rate (e.g., 1000 ms between
each signal transmission) and thereby conserve power of the battery
204. Alternatively, when the energy efficient mode of the portable
device 126 is disabled, the packet determinant module 302 may not
operate to aggregate the at least two RF polling response
signals.
During disablement of the energy efficient mode, the RF transceiver
210 may accordingly operate to transmit RF polling response signals
in response to each of the continuously received LF polling
signals. Consequently, the portable device 126 may transmit the RF
polling response signals at a shorter response rate (e.g., 500 ms
between each signal transmission). For example, during disablement
of the energy efficient mode, the portable device 126 may transmit
two RF polling response signals for every two LF polling signals
received from the vehicle 102, thereby utilizing a higher amount of
power of the battery 204 as RF transmission time is not minimized.
Alternatively, during enablement of the energy efficient mode, the
portable device 126 may transmit one aggregated RF polling response
signal for every two LF polling signals received from the vehicle
102, thereby minimizing RF transmission time.
In an exemplary embodiment, during enablement of the energy
efficient mode of the portable device 126, the packet determinant
module 302 may evaluate each of the continuous LF polling signals
transmitted by the transceivers 118a-118g of the vehicle 102 and
received by the LF transceiver 208 of the portable device 126. In
particular, upon receipt of each of the LF polling signals by the
LF transceiver 208, the LF transceiver 208 may communicate data
pertaining to the received LF polling signals to the packet
determinant module 302. As discussed in more detail below, the
packet determinant module 302 may evaluate the received polling
signals and may create respective RF response message packets. Upon
creating the respective RF response message packets, the packet
determinant module 302 may aggregate two message packets that are
created in response to two received LF polling signals into the
single aggregated RF response message packet that is contained
within the aggregated RF polling response signal transmitted back
to the vehicle 102.
FIG. 4A is an illustrative example of operation of the hands free
door application 108 during disablement of the energy efficient
mode of the portable device 126, according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure. When the energy efficient
mode of the portable device 126 is disabled and the portable device
126 is in a LF signal receiving range of the vehicle 102, the LF
transceiver may receive each of the LF polling signals 402a-402h
continuously transmitted by the vehicle 102. In response to
receiving each of the LF polling signals 402a-402h, the packet
determinant module 302 may create respective RF response message
packets and may utilize the RF transceiver 210 to transmit
respective RF polling response signals 404a-404h that contain the
respective RF polling message packets subsequent to receiving each
of the respective LF polling signals 402a-402h. For example, as
shown in FIG. 4A, the packet determinant module 302 may create
respective RF response message packets 406a, 406b in response to
the reception of the respective LF polling signals 402a, 402b by
the LF transceiver 208. Additionally, during the disablement of the
energy efficient mode of the portable device 126, the RF
transceiver 210 may be utilized to transmit the respective RF
polling response signals 404a, 404b that include the respective RF
response message packets 406a, 406b to the vehicle 102 as a
one-to-one response to each of the respectively received LF polling
signals 402a and 402b.
In an exemplary embodiment, each of the RF response message packets
406a, 406b contained within each of the respective RF polling
response signals 404a, 404b may individually include the header
portion 408a, fixed code portion 408b, rolling code portion 408c,
data payload portion 408d, and the check-sum portion 408e. In one
or more embodiments, the header portion 408a contained within each
RF response message packet 406a, 406b may include control
information that is sent at the start of each message packet 406a,
406b and may be evaluated by one or more components of the vehicle
102 and the polling signal module 304 of the application 108 upon
the receipt of each of the received RF polling response signals
404a, 404b by one or more of the transceivers 118a-118h. In one
embodiment, the fixed code portion 408b may contain the specific
identification code that corresponds to the portable device 126 to
be used as an identification mechanism by the ECU 110 of the
vehicle 102. The identification code may be utilized by the
application 108 to ensure that the portable device 126 is
(previously) paired with the vehicle 102 prior to providing the
hands free door operation. The rolling code portion 408c of each of
the RF response message packets 406a, 406b may include an encrypted
rolling code that may be utilized by the polling signal module 304
to evaluate a rolling code that is different than a previously sent
rolling code. In some embodiments, the rolling code portion 408c
may be evaluated by application 108 to authenticate the portable
device 126 prior to providing the hands free door operation.
In one embodiment, each respective data payload portion 408d of the
RF response message packets 406a, 406b may include the actual data
that is being transmitted to the vehicle 102. This data may include
signal related data that may evaluated by the polling signal module
304 when measuring the RSSI of the aggregated RF polling response
signals that are transmitted by the portable device 126. The data
included within the data payload portion 408d may additionally
include data that pertains to the location of the portable device
126 with respect to the vehicle 102 that may include data
pertaining to one or more of the transceivers 118a-118h that the LF
polling signals was received from. The data payload portion 408d
may also include instructions that may be provided as a result of a
user input of one or more input buttons 212 and/or by the movement
of the portable device 126 as evaluated and determined by the
polling signal module 304. In some embodiments, each RF response
message packet 406a, 406b contained within each respective RF
polling response signal 404a, 404b may contain unique data that is
based on one or more operations conducted by the user with respect
to the input of the input buttons 212 and/or the location and
movement of the portable device 126. For example, the data payload
portion 408d of RF response message packet 406a may include data
that is unique and different than the data payload portion 408d of
the RF response message packet 406b based on inputs provided by the
user or movement of the user while holding the portable device 126
prior to the creation of the respective RF response message packets
406a, 406b.
In one or more embodiments, the check-sum portion 408e of the RF
response message packets 406a, 406b may be utilized as a trailer of
the message packet and may include a check-sum. In some additional
embodiments, the check-sum portion 408e may not be utilized as a
trailer and may simply include a check-sum followed by a separate
trailer portion (not shown) of each of the RF response message
packets 406a, 406b that contains information to support hands free
door operation.
As represented in FIG. 4A, in an exemplary embodiment, when the
energy efficient mode of the portable device 126 is disabled, the
RF transceiver 210 may transmit the RF polling response signal 404a
that contains the RF response message packet 406a with each of the
aforementioned portions 408a-408e in direct response to the receipt
of the LF polling signal 402a by the LF transceiver 208.
Additionally, upon receipt of the LF polling signal 402b (after 500
ms) the RF transceiver 210 may transmit the RF polling response
signal 404b that contains the RF response message packet 406b with
each of the aforementioned portions 408a-408e in direct response to
the receipt of the LF polling signal 402b by the LF transceiver 208
(500 ms after transmitting the RF polling response signal
404a).
As an illustrative example, if each of the continuous LF polling
signals 402a and 402b is received every 500 ms (as represented in
FIG. 4A), the RF transceiver 210 is utilized to transmit each of
the respective RF polling response signals 404a and 404b at a
response rate of every 500 ms. Consequently, when the energy
efficient mode of the portable device 126 is disabled, the battery
204 of the portable device 126 is required to provide a requisite
amount of power to support such a transmission time of RF
transceiver 210 that may result in the higher battery consumption
of the battery 204 as compared to when the portable device 126 is
in the energy efficient mode. It is contemplated that the RF
transceiver 210 will continue to transmit respective signals with
the aforementioned portions of the message packet in direct
response to the continually received LF polling signals (e.g.,
402c-402h and beyond) thereby consuming necessary battery power
(e.g. every 500 ms) to transmit as many respective RF polling
response signals during the predetermined period of time required
to actuate powered opening or closing of one or more of the vehicle
doors 104a-104e.
FIG. 4B is an illustrative example of operation of the hands free
door application 108 during enablement of the energy efficient mode
of the portable device 126, according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present disclosure. With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, when the
energy efficient mode of the portable device 126 is enabled, the RF
transceiver 210 may transmit the aggregated RF polling response
signal 404ab that contains the aggregated RF response message
packet 406ab that is aggregated from two individual RF response
message packets 406a, 406b that are provided in response to the
received LF polling signals 402a and 402b.
In particular, upon the LF transceiver 208 receiving the LF polling
signal 402a, the packet determinant module 302 may create the
respective RF response message packet 406a. Contrary to the
operation of the packet determinant module 302 during the
disablement of the energy efficient mode, during enablement of the
energy efficient mode, instead of utilizing the RF transceiver 210
to transmit a respective RF polling response signal 404a, the
packet determinant module 302 may store the RF response message
packet 406a on the storage 206 of the portable device 126. In one
embodiment, the RF response message packet 406a may be stored on
the storage 206 until the subsequent RF response message packet
406b is created in response to the subsequently received LF polling
signal 402b. In other words, the packet determinant module 302 may
store the RF response message packet 406a to be evaluated for
aggregation with the subsequently created RF response message
packet 406b.
In one embodiment, upon the LF transceiver 208 receiving the LF
polling signal 402b, the packet determinant module 302 may create
the respective RF response message packet 406b in response to the
subsequently received LF polling signal 402b (the second of the
pair of LF polling signals 402a, 402b consecutively transmitted
from the vehicle 102). Upon creating the respective RF response
message packet 406b, the packet determinant module 302 may access
the storage 206 and retrieve the stored RF response message packet
406a.
In an exemplary embodiment, upon retrieving the RF response message
packet 406a from the storage 206, the packet determinant module 302
may aggregate the RF response message packet 406a and the RF
response message packet 406b into the aggregated RF response
message packet 406ab. In an exemplary embodiment, the packet
determinant module 302 may evaluate the portions 408a-408e of the
respective RF response message packets 406a, 406b and may ensure
that duplication of the header portion 408a, fixed code portion
408b, rolling code portion 408c and check-sum portion 408e does not
occur when creating the aggregated RF response message packet
406ab.
More specifically, the packet determinant module 302 may create the
aggregated RF response message packet 406ab that includes the
header portion 408a from either the RF response message packet 406a
or the RF response message packet 406b since both header portions
408a may include matching data. Similarly, the packet determinant
module 302 may create the aggregated RF response message packet
406ab that includes a fixed code portion 410b, a rolling code
portion 410c, and a check-sum portion 410e that includes the
respective portions 408b, 408c, 408e from either the RF response
message packet 406a or the RF response message packet 406b since
the portions 408b, 408c, 408e of the RF response message packets
406a, 406b may include matching data. In other words, the packet
determinant module 302 does not aggregate duplicate matching data
that is found within the header portions 408a, fixed code portions
408b, rolling code portions 408c, and check-sum portions 408e of
the two RF response message packets 406a, 406b that are created in
response to the LF polling signals 402a, 402b received by the LF
transceiver 208.
In an exemplary embodiment, upon partially creating the aggregated
RF response message packet 406ab that contains the portions 410a,
410b, 410c, 410e, the packet determinant module 302 may aggregate
the data payload portions 408d of each of the respective RF
response message packets 406a, 406b. In particular, the packet
determinant module 302 may extract the data payload portion 408d of
the RF response message packet 406a retrieved from the storage 206
that may contain unique data that is based on one or more
operations conducted by the user with respect to the input of the
input buttons 212 and/or the location/movement of the portable
device 126 (represented in FIG. 4A as including "a" data). The
packet determinant module 302 may additionally extract the data
payload portion 408d of the RF response message packet 406b
(created in response to the reception of the LF polling signal 402b
by the LF transceiver 208) that may contain unique data that is
based on one or more operations conducted by the user with respect
to the input of the input buttons 212 and/or the location/movement
of the portable device 126 (represented in FIG. 4A as including "b"
data).
In one embodiment, upon extraction of the data payload portions
408d from the RF polling signal packets, the packet determinant
module 302 may aggregate the data payload portion 408d extracted
from the RF response message packet 406a with the data payload
portion 408d extracted from the RF response message packet 406b to
create the aggregated data payload portion 410d. The aggregated
data payload portion 410d may include a combined format of the data
contained within both of the data payload portions 408d of the RF
response message packet 406a and RF response message packet 406b
that may be readable by the polling signal module 304, the door
actuation module 306, and/or one or more additional components of
the vehicle 102. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the aggregated
data payload portion 410d may include the "a" data extracted from
the data payload portion 408d of the RF response message packet
406a and the "b" data extracted from the data payload portion 408d
of the RF response message packet 406b. In an alternate embodiment,
the aggregated data payload portion may include a padding buffer
(not shown) that may be included to buffer one portion of the data
extracted from the RF response message packet 406a from the data
extracted from the RF response message packet 406b.
In one or more embodiments, upon creating the aggregated data
payload portion 410d, the packet determinant module 302 may
complete the creation of the aggregated RF response message packet
406ab that includes the header portion 410a, fixed code portion
410b, rolling code portion 410c, aggregated data payload portion
410d, and check-sum portion 410e. The packet determinant module 302
may then create the aggregated RF response signal to be transmitted
by the RF transceiver 210 to the vehicle 102. More particularly,
the packet determinant module 302 may create the aggregated RF
response signal that contains the aggregated RF response message
packet 406ab. In other words, the packet determinant module 302 may
ensure that during the energy efficient mode of the portable device
126, the single aggregated RF polling response signal 404ab that
includes the aggregated RF response message packet 406ab is
transmitted to the vehicle 102 in contrast to the sending of two
separate RF polling response signals 404a, 404b to respond to the
received LF polling signals 402a, 402b.
As an illustrative example, as represented in FIG. 4B, during the
enablement of the energy efficient mode of the portable device 126,
the RF transceiver 210 is operably controlled to transmit four
aggregated RF polling response signals 404ab, 404cd, 404ef, 404gh
every 1000 ms rather than transmitting eight RF polling response
signals 404a-404h every 500 ms in response to each received LF
polling signals 402a-402h, as transmitted by the vehicle 102 every
500 ms. Therefore, this functionality results in a reduction of an
overall power usage of the battery 204 of the portable device
126.
The polling signal module 304 will now be discussed in more detail
with reference to FIG. 1-3. In operation, the polling signal module
304 of the hands free door application 108 may provide command
signals to the communication control unit 114 to send signals to
the power control unit 112 to supply one or more predetermined
amounts of power to the one or more transceivers 118a-118h. Upon
receiving the one or more predetermined amounts of power, the one
or more transceivers 118a-118h may be configured to transmit the
continuous LF polling signals to the wide area polling zone 130 and
the one or more local area polling zones 132a-132f to be
communicated to the portable device 126.
In one embodiment, when the energy efficient mode of the portable
device 126 is enabled, the polling signal module 304 may
communicate with the communication control unit 114 to receive data
that pertains to the one or more aggregated RF polling response
signals that are transmitted by the RF transceiver 210 of the
portable device 126. The polling signal module 304 may evaluate the
aggregated data payload portion contained within the one or more
received aggregated RF polling response signals and may determine
RSSI measurements of the one or more aggregated RF polling response
signals that are transmitted by the portable device 126.
In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 304 may
access and utilize signal strength thresholds that pertain to the
one or more aggregated RF polling response signals received by the
transceiver(s) 118a-118h. The signal strength thresholds may be
stored on the storage unit 116 and are indicative of the signal
strengths of the aggregated RF polling response signals that are
transmitted by the portable device 126. In other words, the one or
more signal strength thresholds may include values that are
indicative of RSSI threshold values that are respectively
associated to each of the transceivers 118a-118h of the vehicle
102. Therefore, each of the transceivers 118a-118h may be
associated with its own set of signal strength thresholds that may
be utilized by the polling signal module 304 when it is determined
that one or more respective transceivers 118a-118h has received the
aggregated RF polling response signal(s) from the portable device
126. In other words, the signal strength thresholds associated with
one of the transceivers 118a-118h may include unique values (e.g.,
different values) from signal strength thresholds associated with
another of the transceivers 118a-118h. For example, signal strength
thresholds that are associated with the transceiver 118a may differ
from signal strength thresholds that are associated with the
transceiver 118e.
In one or more embodiments, the signal strength thresholds may
include local area threshold values that are associated with each
transceiver 118a-118h. The local area threshold values may be
utilized by the polling signal module 304 to determine an existence
of the portable device 126 within or outside of the local area
polling zones 132a-132f. In other words, the local area threshold
values may be utilized by the polling signal module 304 to
determine if the portable device 126 is within one or more of the
local area polling zones 132a-132f of the vehicle 102.
More specifically, the local area threshold values may provide a
minimum signal strength value of the received aggregated RF polling
response signals for each of the transceivers 118a-118h. The local
area threshold values may pertain to a respective minimum signal
strength that is used to determine that the portable device 126
(and the individual holding the portable device 126) is located
within one or more of the local area polling zones 132a-132f such
that if the received signal strength value is below one of the
local area threshold values, the portable device 126 may be
determined to be in one or more of the respective local area
polling zones 132a-132f.
Conversely, if the received signal strength value is above the
local area threshold values, the portable device 126 may be
determined to be in the wide area polling zone 130. Therefore, the
polling signal module 304 may utilize the local area threshold
values to determine the location of the portable device 126 with
respect to the vehicle 102 based on a comparison between the
received signal strength of one or more received LF polling
response signals transmitted by the portable device 126 and the
threshold values. The hands free door application 108 may utilize
this information to provide one or more amounts of power to
unlock/lock one or more of the locks 122a-122e of the vehicle doors
104a-104e and/or provide further evaluation as to if one or more of
the vehicle doors 104a-104e should be opened/closed.
In one or more embodiments, the signal strength thresholds may
additionally include door area threshold values that are associated
with each transceiver 118a-118h. The door area threshold values may
be utilized by the polling signal module 304 to determine an
existence of the portable device 126 within or outside of the door
area zones 134a-134e of the local area polling zones 132a-132e. In
other words, the door area threshold values may be utilized by the
polling signal module 304 to determine if the portable device 126
is within one or more of the door area zones 134a-134e of the local
area polling zones 132a-132e to possibly indicate that the portable
device 126 is located within the space occupied by the vehicle
door(s) 104a-104e during opening or closing.
In particular, the door area threshold values may provide a minimum
signal strength value of the received aggregated RF polling
response signal(s) for each of the transceivers 118a-118h. The door
area threshold values may pertain to a respective minimum signal
strength that is used to determine that the portable device 126
(and the individual holding the portable device 126) is located
within one or more of the door area zones 134a-134e such that if
the received signal strength value is below one of the door area
threshold values, the portable device 126 may be determined to be
in one or more of the respective door area zones 134a-134e, within
the space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104a-104e during opening
or closing. Conversely, if the received signal strength value is
above the door area threshold values but is below the local area
threshold values, the portable device 126 may be determined to be
located within one of the respective local area polling zones
132a-132f, outside of the door area zones 134a-134e.
In an exemplary embodiment, the signal strength thresholds stored
on the storage unit 116 may additionally include one or more signal
strength deviation threshold values that may provide a maximum
deviation of signal strengths between two or more aggregated RF
polling response signals to determine if the portable device 126 is
stationary or moving within the one or more local area polling
zones 132a-132f. The polling signal module 304 may analyze signal
strengths associated with two or more received aggregated RF
polling response signals transmitted by the RF transceiver 210
against the maximum signal strength deviation threshold values
associated with one or more of the transceivers 118a-118h to
determine if the portable device 126 is stationary for a
predetermined period of time within one of the local area polling
zones 132a-132f and outside of the door area zones 134a-134e in
order to actuate one or more of the motors 106a-106e to open one or
more of the vehicle doors 104a-104e.
In one or more embodiments, upon receiving the aggregated RF
polling response signal(s) from the portable device 126, the
communication control unit 114 may analyze data contained within
the aggregated data payload portion(s) of the signal(s) and data
pertaining to the one or more transceivers 118a-118h that are
receiving the aggregated RF polling response signal(s). The polling
signal module 304 may evaluate the data and may determine which of
the one or more transceivers 118a-118h are receiving the aggregated
RF polling response signal(s). In one embodiment, the polling
signal module 304 may determine which one of the transceivers
118a-118h are receiving the aggregated RF polling response
signal(s) with the highest signal strength and may access the
storage unit 116 to retrieve the signal strength thresholds
associated with the respective transceiver 118a-118h.
In circumstances in which the polling signal module 304 determines
that more than one of the transceivers 118a-118h is receiving the
aggregated RF polling response signal(s) with the highest signal
strength (e.g., more than one transceiver 118a-118h received the
aggregated RF polling response signal within a predetermined signal
strength range), the polling signal module 304 may access the
storage unit 116 to retrieve the signal strength thresholds
associated with the respective transceivers 118a-118h.
In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 304 may
compare the signal strength of the aggregated RF polling response
signal(s) against the signal strength thresholds associated with
the respective transceiver(s) 118a-118h as stored on the storage
unit 116 to determine the location and/or movement of the portable
device 126 with respect to the vehicle 102. In particular, as
described below, the polling signal module 304 may utilize the
local area threshold value(s) associated with each of the one or
more transceivers 118a-118h to determine if the portable device 126
may be located within one or more of the local area polling zones
132a-132d or the wide area polling zone 130.
The polling signal module 304 may additionally utilize the door
area threshold value(s) associated with each one of the
transceivers 118a-118h to determine if the portable device 126 may
be located within one or more of the door area zones 134a-134e. If
it is determined that the portable device 126 is located within one
or more of the local area polling zones 132a-132d but not within
the one or more door area zones 134a-134e, the polling signal
module 304 may utilize the one or more signal strength deviation
threshold values associated with one or more of the transceivers
118a-118h to determine if the portable device 126 is or is not
stationary for a predetermined period of time.
The predetermined period of time utilized by the polling signal
module 304 may be a period of time that is deemed to be appropriate
for the individual carrying the portable device 126 to be
stationary within the one or more of the local zones 132a-132h for
the hands free door application 108 to safely actuate powered
opening/closing of one or more vehicle doors 104a-104e. The powered
opening/closing of the one or more vehicle doors 104a-104e may be
individually actuated based on the determination of the location of
the portable device 126 within one or more of the local area
polling zones 132a-132f that are in closest proximity to the one or
more respective vehicle doors 104a-104e.
In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 304 may
execute a timer that is utilized to determine if the predetermined
period of time has expired to determine if the portable device 126
remains stationary for the predetermined period of time. The timer
may actuate a countdown sequence that may include a total time that
is representative of the amount of time that is deemed to be
appropriate for the individual carrying the portable device 126 to
be stationary within the one or more of the local zones 132a-132h
(outside of the one or more door area zones 134a-134e) in order for
the hands free door application 108 to safely actuate powered
opening of one or more vehicle doors 104a-104e determined to be
located in closest proximity to the portable device 126.
In some embodiments, the polling signal module 304 may interpret
the one or more aggregated RF polling response signals received by
the transceiver(s) 118a-118h from the one or more portable devices
126 in the manner discussed above to possibly unlock the lock(s)
122a-122e and/or to open one or more of the vehicle doors
104a-104e. Similarly, the polling signal module 304 may interpret
the one or more LF polling response signals to determine the
location and movement of the portable device 126 with respect to
the vehicle 102 to possibly lock the lock(s) 122a-122e and/or to
close one or more of the vehicle doors 104a-104e after being
unlocked and opened.
In one embodiment, upon determining the location and the movement
of the portable device 126 with respect to the vehicle 102, the
polling signal module 304 may send one or more data signals to the
door actuation module 306 of the hands free door application 108.
The door actuation module 306 may provide one or more commands to
the power control unit 112 of the vehicle 102 to supply one or more
requisite amounts of power to one or more of the motors 106a-106e
to lock and unlock one or more of the door locks 122a-122e of
associated vehicle doors 104a-104e. Additionally, the door
actuation module 306 may provide one or more commands to the power
control unit 112 of the vehicle 102 to supply one or more requisite
amounts of power to one or more of the motors 106a-106e to open
and/or close one or more of the associated vehicle doors
104a-104e.
Exemplary Methods Utilized by Hands Free Door Operation
Application
FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram of a method for creating the
aggregated RF polling response signal during enablement of the
energy efficient mode of the portable device 126 according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 will be
described with reference to the components of FIGS. 1-3 though it
is to be appreciated that the method of FIG. 5 may be used with
other systems and/or components. The method 500 may begin at block
502, wherein the method may include receiving a first LF polling
signal of a pair of LF polling signals transmitted by the vehicle
102. In an exemplary embodiment, the ECU 110 may determine if the
vehicle 102 is parked and the vehicle door(s) 104a-104e is in a
closed position based on signals sent from one or vehicle door lock
sensors (not shown). Upon this determination, the ECU 110 may send
a signal(s) to the polling signal module 304 of the hands free door
application 108 to initiate a portable device polling mode.
In one embodiment, during the portable device polling mode, the
polling signal module 304 may send a command signal(s) to the
communication control unit 114 to initiate transmission of
continuous low power or high power LF polling signals by the
transceiver(s) 118a-118h. The communication control unit 114 may be
configured to control the transceiver(s) 118a-118h to continually
transmit the low power or high power LF polling signals at a
predetermined frequency (e.g., every 500 ms) to determine if the
portable device 126 is located within the wide area polling zone
130 or one of the local area polling zones 132a-132f. Consequently,
the LF transceiver 208 may receive the first LF polling signal
transmitted by the transceiver(s) 118a-118h of each pair of LF
polling signals transmitted by the transceiver(s) 118a-118h during
the portable device polling mode.
The method 500 may proceed to block 504, wherein the method 500 may
include creating a first RF response message packet in response to
the first LF polling signal. In an exemplary embodiment, upon
receiving the first LF polling signal of the pair of LF polling
signals, the LF transceiver 208 may communicate respective data to
the packet determinant module 302. The packet determinant module
302 may evaluate the first LF polling signal and may create the
first RF response message packet. As discussed above (with respect
to FIGS. 4A and 4B), in an exemplary embodiment, the first RF
response message packet may be created with a header portion, a
fixed code portion, a rolling code portion, a data payload portion,
and a check-sum portion.
The method 500 may proceed to block 506, wherein the method 500 may
include storing the first RF response message packet. In one
embodiment, upon creation of the first RF response message packet
in response to the received first LF polling signal, the packet
determinant module 302 may store the first RF response message
packet within the storage 206 of the portable device 126. As
discussed below, the first RF response message packet may be stored
on the storage 206 until the subsequent second RF response message
packet 406b is created in response to a subsequently received
second LF polling signal.
The method 500 may proceed to block 508, wherein the method 500 may
include receiving a second LF polling signal of the pair of LF
polling signals transmitted by the vehicle 102. In an exemplary
embodiment, during the portable device polling mode, the
communication control unit 114 may be configured to control the
transceiver(s) 118a-118h to continue to transmit the low power or
high power LF polling signals at the predetermined frequency (e.g.,
every 500 ms) to determine if the portable device 126 is located
within the wide area polling zone 130 or one of the local area
polling zones 132a-132f. Consequently, the LF transceiver 208 may
receive the second LF polling signal transmitted by the
transceiver(s) 118a-118h of each pair of LF polling signals
transmitted by the transceiver(s) 118a-118h during the portable
device polling mode.
The method 500 may proceed to block 510, wherein the method 500 may
include creating a second RF response message packet in response to
the second LF polling signal. In an exemplary embodiment, upon
receiving the second LF polling signal of the pair of LF polling
signals, the LF transceiver 208 may communicate respective data to
the packet determinant module 302. The packet determinant module
302 may evaluate the second LF polling signal and may create the
second RF response message packet. As discussed above (with respect
to FIGS. 4A and 4B), in an exemplary embodiment, the second RF
response message packet may be created with a header portion, a
fixed code portion, a rolling code portion, a data payload portion,
and a check-sum portion.
The method 500 may proceed to block 512, wherein the method 500 may
include retrieving the first RF response message packet. In one or
more embodiments, upon receiving the second LF polling signal of
the pair of LF polling signals transmitted by the vehicle 102, the
packet determinant module 302 may access the storage 206 of the
portable device 126 and may retrieve the first RF response message
packet previously stored by the module 302 (at block 506).
The method 500 may proceed to block 514, wherein the method 500 may
include extracting the header portion, fixed code portion, rolling
code portion, and check-sum portion from the first and second RF
response message packets. In an exemplary embodiment, upon creating
the second RF response message packet and retrieving the first RF
response message from the storage 206, the packet determinant
module 302 may extract the header portion, fixed code portion,
rolling code portion, and check-sum portion respectively from the
first RF response message packet created in response to the
received first LF polling signal and the second RF response message
packet created in response to the received second LF polling
signal.
The method 500 may proceed to block 516, wherein the method 500 may
include eliminating the duplication of the header portion, fixed
code portion, rolling code portion, and check-sum portion and
partially creating an aggregated RF response message packet. In one
or more embodiments, upon extracting the header, fixed code,
rolling code, and check-sum portions of the first and second RF
response message packets, the packet determinant module 302 may
evaluate the portions and may ensure that duplication of the
packets does not occur when creating the aggregated RF response
message packet that is created in response to the received pair of
(first and second) LF polling signals.
In an exemplary embodiment, the packet determinant module 302 may
partially create the aggregated RF response message packet that
includes the header portion, fixed code portion, rolling code
portion, and check-sum portion from either the first RF response
message packet or the second RF response message packet. In some
embodiments, the packet determinant module 302 may partially create
the aggregated RF response message packet from the second RF
response packet and may discard the aforementioned portions of the
first RF response packet prior to storing the first RF response
packet on the storage 206 or upon retrieving the first RF response
packet from the storage 206. In alternate embodiments, the packet
determinant module 302 may partially create the aggregated RF
response message packet from the first RF response packet and may
discard the aforementioned portions of the second RF response
packet upon creating the second RF response packet. In additional
embodiments, the packet determinant module 302 may create the
second RF response message packet without the header portion, fixed
code portion, rolling code portion, and check-sum portion and may
only utilize the aforementioned portions of the first RF response
message upon partially creating the aggregated RF response message
packet.
The method 500 may proceed to block 518, wherein the method 500 may
include extracting the data payload portion from the first and
second RF response message packets. In an exemplary embodiment,
upon partially creating the RF response message packet (at block
516), the packet determinant module 302 may extract the data
payload portion from the first RF response message and the data
payload portion from the second RF response message. As discussed,
each of the respective data payload portions may contain unique
data that is based on one or more operations conducted by the user
with respect to the input of the input buttons 212 and/or the
movement of the portable device 126.
The method 500 may proceed to block 520, wherein the method 500 may
include aggregating the data payload portions from the first and
second RF response message packets into an aggregated data payload
portion. In an exemplary embodiment, the packet determinant module
302 may aggregate the data payload portion extracted from the first
RF response message packet with the data payload portion extracted
from the second RF response message packet to create the aggregated
data payload packet. The aggregated data payload packet may include
a combined format of the data contained within both of the first
and second data payload portions of the respective first and second
RF response message packets that may be readable by the polling
signal module 304, the door actuation module 306, and/or one or
more components of the vehicle 102.
The method 500 may proceed to block 522, wherein the method 500 may
include completing creation of the RF response message packet. In
one embodiment, upon creating the aggregated data payload packet,
the packet determinant module 302 may complete the creation of the
aggregated RF response message packet that includes the header code
portion, the fixed code portion, the rolling code portion, the
aggregated data payload portion, and the check-sum portion (e.g.,
similar to the aggregated RF response message packet 406ab shown in
FIG. 4B). In particular, the packet determinant module 302 may
ensure that the aggregated data payload portion is added to the
partially created RF response message in a specific area/part of
the packet (e.g., after the rolling code portion and before the
check-sum portion) in order to be readable by the polling signal
module 304 and/or one or more components of the vehicle 102.
The method 500 may proceed to block 524, wherein the method 500 may
include creating the aggregated RF response signal to be
transmitted to the vehicle 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the
packet determinant module 302 may create the aggregated RF response
signal to be provided in a transmittable format that may be
efficiently transmitted by the RF transceiver 210 while utilizing a
low amount of battery power. The packet determinant module 302 may
create the aggregated RF response signal to contain the aggregated
response message. As discussed below in more detail, at least one
aggregated RF response signal may be transmitted by the portable
device 126 to the vehicle 102 in response to the reception of at
least one pair of LF polling signals transmitted by the vehicle 102
during the portable device polling mode to provide hands free
operation of at least one vehicle door 104a-104e.
FIG. 6A is a process flow diagram of a first part of a method 600
for providing hands free powered opening of at least one vehicle
door 104a-104e during enablement of the energy efficient mode of
the portable device 126 according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure. As described below, the method 600 will be
discussed in two parts with respect to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B. The
method 600 may begin at block 602, wherein the method 600 may
include transmitting at least one pair of low power LF polling
signals to the portable device 126.
In one embodiment, during the portable device polling mode, the
polling signal module 304 may send a command signal(s) to the
communication control unit 114 to initiate transmission of a first
low power LF polling signal and a second low power LF polling
signal by the transceiver(s) 118a-118h. Upon receipt of the command
signal(s), the communication control unit 114 may utilize the
transceiver(s) 118a-118h to transmit the first low power LF polling
signal and the second low power LF polling signal as at least one
pair of low power LF polling signals that reach a predetermined
distance within the wide area polling zone 130. The communication
control unit 114 may be configured to control the transceiver(s)
118a-118h to transmit a predetermined number of pairs of LF low
power polling signals within a predetermined time period. In some
embodiments, the communication control unit 114 may be configured
to control the transceiver(s) 118a-118h to transmit the at least
one pair of low power LF polling signals at a predetermined
frequency (e.g., every 500 ms) to determine if the portable device
126 is located within the wide area polling zone 130.
The method 600 may proceed to block 604, wherein the method 600 may
include determining if the portable device 126 is located within
the wide area polling zone 130. In an exemplary embodiment, if the
portable device 126 (e.g., the individuals(s) carrying the portable
device 126) is located within the wide area polling zone 130, the
LF transceiver 208 of the portable device 126 may receive the at
least one pair of low power LF polling signals transmitted by the
transceivers 118a-118h of the vehicle 102. Upon receiving the pair
of low power LF polling signals, the LF transceiver 208 may
communicate respective data to the packet determinant module 302.
As discussed above with respect to FIG. 5, the packet determinant
module 302 may create the aggregated RF polling response signal
that contains the aggregated RF response message packet in response
to the pair of low power LF polling signals received by the LF
transceiver 208.
In one embodiment, the microprocessor 202 of the portable device
126 may instruct the RF transceiver 210 of the portable device 126
to transmit the aggregated RF polling response signal to the
vehicle 102. Upon receipt of the aggregated RF polling response
signal by one or more of the transceivers 118a-118h, the
communication control unit 114 may analyze data received by the
signals and data pertaining to the one or more transceivers
118a-118h received by the aggregated RF polling response signal as
contained within an aggregated payload portion of the signal. The
communication control unit 114 may further communicate the data
from the aggregated RF polling response signal to the polling
signal module 304.
Upon receipt of the aggregated RF polling response signal, the
polling signal module 304 may evaluate the data that pertains to
the location of the portable device 126 contained within the
aggregated data payload portion and may determine the signal
strength of the aggregated RF polling response signal.
Additionally, the polling signal module 304 may evaluate the data
from the aggregated payload portion of the aggregated RF polling
response signal and may determine the one or more transceivers
118a-118h of the vehicle 102 that received the pair of LF polling
response signals transmitted by the portable device 126. The
polling signal module 304 may determine which one of the
transceivers 118a-118h received the aggregated RF polling response
signal with the highest signal strength and may access the storage
unit 116 to retrieve the signal strength thresholds associated with
the respective transceiver 118a-118h.
In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 304 may
compare the determined signal strengths of the aggregated RF
response signal received by the transceiver(s) 118a-118h against
the signal strength thresholds associated with the respective
transceiver(s) 118a-118h as stored on the storage unit 116. In
particular, the polling signal module 304 may compare the
determined signal strength of the aggregated RF response signal
against the local area threshold value(s) associated with the one
or more transceivers 118a-118h which are determined to have
received the aggregated RF response signal with the highest signal
strength to determine if the portable device 126 may be located
within the wide area polling zone 130. If the polling signal module
304 determines that the determined signal strength of the
aggregated RF response signal is above the local area threshold
value(s) associated with the one or more transceivers 118a-118h
which are determined to have received the aggregated RF response
signal with the highest signal strength, the polling signal module
304 may determine that the portable device 126 is located within
the wide area polling zone 130.
If it is determined that the portable device 126 is located within
the wide area polling zone 130 (at block 604), the method 600 may
proceed to block 606, wherein the method 600 may include
transmitting at least one pair of high power LF polling signals to
the portable device 126. In one embodiment, during the portable
device polling mode, the polling signal module 304 may send a
command signal(s) to the communication control unit 114 to initiate
transmission of a first high power LF polling signal and a second
high power LF polling signal by the transceiver(s) 118a-118h. Upon
receipt of the command signal(s), the communication control unit
114 may utilize the transceiver(s) 118a-118h to transmit the pair
of first and second high power LF polling signals that reach the
entirety of each of the local area polling zones 132a-132f. The
communication control unit 114 may be configured to control the
transceiver(s) 118a-118h to transmit a predetermined number of
pairs of high power LF polling signals within a predetermined time
period. In one embodiment, the communication control unit 114 may
be configured to control the transceiver(s) 118a-118h to transmit
the pair of high power LF polling signals at a predetermined
frequency (e.g., once per every 300 ms) to determine if the
portable device 126 is located within at least one of the local
area polling zone(s) 132a-132f.
With continued reference to FIG. 6A, the method 600 may proceed to
block 608, wherein the method 600 may include determining if the
portable device 126 is located within at least one local area
polling zone 132a-132f. In an exemplary embodiment, if the portable
device 126 (and the individual carrying the portable device 126) is
located within one or more of the local area polling zones
132a-132f, the LF transceiver 208 of the portable device 126 may
receive the pair of high power LF polling signals transmitted by
the transceivers 118a-118h of the vehicle 102. As discussed above,
upon receiving the pair of high power LF polling signals, the LF
transceiver 208 may communicate respective data to the packet
determinant module 302. As discussed above with respect to FIG. 5,
the packet determinant module 302 may create the aggregated RF
polling response signal that contains the aggregated RF response
message packet in response to the pair of high power LF polling
signals received by the LF transceiver 208.
In one embodiment, the microprocessor 202 of the portable device
126 may instruct the RF transceiver 210 to transmit the aggregated
RF polling response signal within a predetermined frequency (e.g.,
once per every 600 ms in response to the each of the pair of LF
polling signals received every 300 ms). Upon receipt of the
aggregated RF polling response signal by one or more of the
transceivers 118a-118h, the communication control unit 114 may
analyze data pertaining to the one or more transceivers 118a-118h
and additional data contained within the aggregated payload portion
of the aggregated RF polling response signal and may communicate
respective data to the polling signal module 304.
The polling signal module 304 may evaluate the data and may
determine the signal strength of the aggregated RF polling response
signal received from the portable device 126. Additionally, the
polling signal module 304 may evaluate the data that pertains to
the location of the portable device 126 contained within the
aggregated data payload portion of the aggregated RF polling
response signal and may determine the one or more transceivers
118a-118h of the vehicle 102 that received the aggregated RF
polling response signal transmitted by the portable device 126. In
one embodiment, the polling signal module 304 may determine which
one of the transceivers 118a-118h received the aggregated RF
polling response signal with the highest signal strength and may
access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the signal strength
thresholds associated with the respective transceiver
118a-118h.
In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 304 may
compare the determined signal strength of the aggregated RF polling
response signal received by the transceiver(s) 118a-118h against
the signal strength thresholds associated with the respective
transceiver(s) 118a-118h as stored on the storage unit 116. In
particular, the polling signal module 304 may compare the
determined signal strength of the aggregated RF polling response
signal against the local area threshold value(s) associated with
the one or more transceivers 118a-118h which are determined to have
received the aggregated RF polling response signal with the highest
signal strength to determine if the portable device 126 may be
located within at least one of the local area polling zones
132a-132f.
More specifically, if the polling signal module 304 determines that
the determined signal strength of the aggregated RF polling
response signal is below the local area threshold value(s)
associated with one or more of the transceivers 118a-118h which are
determined to have received the aggregated RF polling response
signal with the highest signal strength, the polling signal module
304 may then determine that the portable device 126 is located
within the respective local area polling zone(s) 132a-132f. The
respective local area polling zone(s) 132a-132f may be located at a
close proximity to the one or more transceivers 118a-118h which are
determined to have received the aggregated RF polling response
signal with the highest signal strength. In one embodiment, the
polling signal module 304 may be able to determine a location of
the portable device 126 within the local area polling zone(s)
132a-132f by determining and evaluating a difference between the
signal strength of the aggregated RF polling response signal and
the local area threshold value(s) associated with the one or more
transceivers 118a-118h which are determined to have received the
aggregated RF polling response signal with the highest signal
strength.
As an illustrative example, if the transceiver 118e is determined
to receive the aggregated RF polling response signal with the
highest signal strength from the portable device 126, the polling
signal module 304 may compare the signal strength of the aggregated
RF polling response signal received against the local area
threshold value associated with the transceiver 118e. If the signal
strength of the aggregated RF polling response signal is below the
local area threshold value, the polling signal module 304 may
determine that the portable device 126 is located within the local
area polling zone 132e which is in closest proximity to the
transceiver 118e and the tailgate door 104e. The polling signal
module 304 may additionally determine the difference between the
signal strength of the aggregated RF polling response signal and
the local area threshold value associated with the transceiver 118e
and may further determine the location of the portable device 126
within the local area polling zone 132e.
In one or more embodiments, if it is determined that the portable
device 126 is located within a particular local area zone(s) based
on the evaluation of the signal strength of the aggregated RF
polling response signal, the polling signal module 304 may send
signal(s) to the door actuation module 306 that may indicate the
local area polling zone(s) 132a-132f in which the portable device
126 is determined to be located. Upon receipt of the signal(s), the
door actuation module 306 may send a command signal(s) to the power
control unit 112 to supply a predetermined amount of power to the
motor(s) 106a-106e associated with the vehicle door(s) 104a-104e
that is located in close proximity to the local area polling
zone(s) 132a-132f to unlock the lock(s) 122a-122e of the respective
vehicle door(s) 104a-104e.
In one embodiment, when the portable device 126 is located within
one of the respective local area polling zones 132a-132f, the door
actuation module 306 may send the command signal(s) to the power
control unit 112 to supply the predetermined amount of power to the
one or more motors 106a-106d. In particular, the command signal(s)
may be sent to the one or more motors 106a-106d associated with the
one or more respective vehicle doors 104a-104d that are located at
the front portion 128a and/or the middle portion 128b of the
vehicle 102 to unlock the lock(s) 122a-122d of the respective
vehicle door(s) 104a-104d. When the portable device 126 is located
within the polling zone 132e, the door actuation module 306 may
send the command signal(s) to the power control unit 112 to supply
the predetermined amount of power to the motor 106e to unlock the
lock 122e of the tailgate door 104e.
In an additional embodiment, upon receipt of the signal(s), the
door actuation module 306 may determine the portion of the vehicle
102 that is in closest proximity to the local area polling zone(s)
132a-132f in which the portable device 126 is determined to be
located. The door actuation module 306 may send a command signal(s)
to the power control unit 112 to supply a predetermined amount of
power to the motor(s) 106a-106e associated with the vehicle door(s)
104a-104e that is determined to be located at the portion of the
vehicle 102 that is in closest proximity to the local area polling
zone(s) 132a-132f to unlock the lock(s) 122a-122e of the respective
vehicle door(s) 104a-104e.
With continued reference to the method 600 of FIG. 6A, if it is
determined that the portable device 126 is located within at least
one local area polling zone 132a-132f (at block 608), the method
600 may proceed to block 610, wherein the method 600 may include
determining if the portable device 126 is located within at least
one door area zone 134a-134e. In an exemplary embodiment, upon the
determining the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132f that the
portable device 126(a) is located within (at block 608), the
polling signal module 304 will determine if the portable device 126
is located within at least one door area zone 134a-134e. In other
words, if it is determined (at block 608) that the portable device
126 is located within the local area polling zone 132f (that does
not directly include any of the vehicle doors 104a-104e), the
polling signal module 304 may determine that the portable device
126 is not located within at least one door area zone.
In one embodiment, if is determined that the portable device 126 is
located within at least one of the local area polling zones
132a-132e, the polling signal module 304 may further evaluate the
aggregated payload portion of the aggregated RF polling response
signal to determine if the portable device 126 is located within
one or more of the door area zones 134a-134e. In an exemplary
embodiment, the polling signal module 304 may compare the
determined signal strength of the aggregated RF polling response
signal against the door area threshold value(s) associated with the
one or more transceivers 118a-118h that are in closest proximity to
the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132e in which the portable
device 126 is located. This comparison is conducted to determine if
the portable device 126 may be located within at least one of the
door area zones 134a-134e of the local area polling zone(s)
132a-132e.
More specifically, if the polling signal module 304 determines that
the determined signal strength of the aggregated RF polling
response signal is below the door area threshold value(s)
associated with one or more of the respective transceivers
118a-118h, the polling signal module 304 may consequently determine
that the portable device 126 is located within the respective door
area zone(s) 134a-134e. In one embodiment, the polling signal
module 304 may be able to determine a specific location of the
portable device 126 within the door area zone(s) 134a-134e by
determining and evaluating a difference between the signal strength
of the aggregated RF polling response signal and the door area
threshold value(s) associated with the one or more transceivers
118a-118h that are in closest proximity to the local area polling
zone(s) 132a-132f in which the portable device 126 is determined to
be located.
If it is determined that the portable device 126 is located within
at least one door area zone (at block 610), the method 600 may
revert back to block 606, wherein the method 600 may include
transmitting at least one pair of high power LF polling signals to
the portable device 126. If it is determined that the portable
device 126 is not located within at least one door area zone (at
block 610), the method 600 may proceed to block 612, wherein the
method 600 may include analyzing a primary aggregated RF polling
response signal from the portable device 126 and determining a
primary signal strength value.
In an exemplary embodiment, upon determining that the portable
device 126 is located within the at least one local are polling
zone 132a-132f (at block 608) and determining that the portable
device 126 is not located within at least one door area zone
134a-134e (at block 610), the polling signal module 304 may send a
command signal(s) to the communication control unit 114 to
reinitiate transmission of one or more pairs of high power LF
polling signals by the transceiver(s) 118a-118h. Upon receipt of
the command signal(s), the communication control unit 114 may
utilize the transceiver(s) 118a-118h that are near to the local
area polling zone(s) 132a-132e in which the portable device 126 is
determined to be located to transmit the first high power LF
polling signal and a second high power LF polling signal as a pair
of one or more pairs of high power LF polling signals. The pair(s)
of high power LF polling signals may reach the entirety of
respective local area polling zone(s) 132a-132f in which the
portable device 126 is determined to be located.
Upon the portable device 126 receiving at least one pair of high
power LF polling signals, and upon the creation of the aggregated
RF response signal in response to the received pair of LF polling
signals by the packet determinant module 302, as described above,
the RF transceiver 210 of the portable device 126 may send the
aggregated RF polling response signal to the transceiver(s)
118a-118h. The communication control unit 114 may communicate data
contained within the aggregated data payload portion of the
aggregated RF polling response signal as received from the
transceiver(s) 118a-118h of the vehicle 102 that are in closest
proximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132f in which the
portable device 126 is determined to be located to the polling
signal module 304. Upon receiving the data contained within the
aggregated data payload portion of the aggregated RF polling
response signal, the polling signal module 304 may identify the
aggregated RF polling response signal as a primary aggregated RF
polling response signal.
In one embodiment, the polling signal module 304 may analyze the
primary aggregated RF polling response signal and may determine the
signal strength of the aggregated RF polling response signal based
on the aggregated RF polling response signal received by the
transceiver(s) 118a-118h of the vehicle 102 that are in closest
proximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132f in which the
portable device 126 is determined to be located. Upon determining
the signal strength of the primary aggregated RF polling response
signal, the polling signal module 304 may determine a primary
signal strength value that is indicative of the signal strength of
the primary aggregated RF polling response signal.
The method 600 may proceed to block 614, wherein the method 600 may
include storing the primary signal strength value on the storage
unit 116. In one or more embodiments, upon determining the primary
signal strength value, the polling signal module 304 may access the
storage unit 116 and may store the primary signal strength value on
the storage unit 116. In some embodiments, the primary signal
strength value may be accessible to the polling signal module 304
until the portable device 126 is determined to no longer be located
within the respective local area polling zone(s) 132a-132f or
vehicle door(s) 104a-104e is opened (e.g., manually opened by the
individual).
FIG. 6B is a process flow diagram of a second part of the method
600 for providing hands free powered opening of at least one
vehicle door 104a-104e during enablement of the energy efficient
mode of the portable device 126 according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6B will also be
described with reference to the components of FIGS. 1-3 though it
is to be appreciated that the method 600 of FIG. 6B may be used
with other systems and/or components.
As shown in FIG. 6B, the method 600 may proceed to block 616,
wherein the method 600 may include determining if the portable
device 126 is still located within the at least one local area
polling zone(s) 132a-132f. In one embodiment, the polling signal
module 304 may send a command signal(s) to the communication
control unit 114 to initiate transmission of a pair of high power
LF polling signals by the transceiver(s) 118a-118h. Upon receipt of
the command signal(s), the communication control unit 114 may
utilize the transceiver(s) 118a-118h that are in close proximity to
the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132e in which the portable
device 126 is determined to be located to transmit the pair of high
power LF polling signals. The one or more high power LF polling
signals may reach the entirety of respective local area polling
zone(s) 132a-132f in which the portable device 126 is determined to
be located.
If the portable device 126 is still located within the respective
local area polling zone(s) 132a-132f, upon receiving the at least
one pair of high power LF polling signals, the RF transceiver 210
of the portable device 126 may transmit an aggregated RF polling
response signal to the transceiver(s) 118a-118h. Upon receipt of
the aggregated RF polling response signal by the transceiver(s)
118a-118h that are in close proximity to the local area polling
zone(s) 132a-132e in which the portable device 126 is determined to
be located, data contained within the aggregated payload portion of
the aggregated RF polling response signal may be communicated to
the polling signal module 304 by the communication control unit
114.
The polling signal module 304 may determine that the portable
device 126 is still located within at least one local area polling
zone(s) 132a-132e in which it was determined to be located (as
discussed with reference to block 608) based on the receipt of the
data from the aggregated data payload portion of the received
aggregated RF polling response signal. Conversely, if the portable
device 126 is no longer located within the respective local area
polling zone(s) 132a-132f, the polling signal module 304 will not
receive the data from the aggregated data payload portion of the
received aggregated RF polling response signal and may therefore
determine that the portable device 126 is no longer located within
the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132f.
In the circumstance in which the portable device 126 is no longer
located within the respective local area polling zone(s) 132a-132d,
the method 600 may revert to block 602, wherein the method 600 may
include transmitting at least one pair of low power LF polling
signals to the portable device 126. In one or more embodiments,
when it is determined that the portable device 126 is no longer
located with the respective local area polling zone(s) 132a-132d,
the polling signal module 304 may send a signal(s) to the door
actuation module 306 to lock the respective vehicle door(s)
104a-104e that was previously unlocked based on the evaluation of
the signal strength of the aggregated RF polling response signal
(as discussed with respect to block 608).
In one embodiment, upon receipt of the signal(s), the door
actuation module 306 may determine the vehicle door(s) 104a-104e
that was previously unlocked that are in closest proximity to the
local area polling zone(s) 132a-132f in which the portable device
126 was determined to be located (as discussed with respect to
block 608). The door actuation module 306 may send a signal(s) to
the power control unit 112 to supply a predetermined amount of
power to the motor(s) 106a-106e associated with the vehicle door(s)
104a-104e to lock the lock(s) 122a-122e of the respective vehicle
door(s) 104a-104e.
With continued reference to the method 600 of FIG. 6B, if it is
determined that the portable device 126 is still located within the
at least one local area polling zone 132a-132f (at block 616), the
method 600 may proceed to block 618, wherein the method 600 may
include analyzing a second aggregated RF polling response signal
from the portable device 126 and determining a secondary signal
strength value. As discussed above, upon receipt of the aggregated
RF polling response signal by the transceiver(s) 118a-118h that are
in close proximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132e in
which the portable device 126 is determined to be located, data
contained within the aggregated data payload portion of the
aggregated RF polling response signal may be communicated to the
polling signal module 304 by the communication control unit 114.
Upon receiving the data pertaining to the aggregated RF polling
response signal, the polling signal module 304 may identify the
aggregated RF polling response signal as a secondary aggregated RF
polling response signal that is a subsequently created aggregated
RF polling response signal in response to the receipt of a
subsequent pair of LF polling signals received by the portable
device 126.
In one embodiment, the polling signal module 304 may analyze the
secondary aggregated RF polling response signal and may determine
the signal strength of the secondary aggregated RF polling response
signal. Upon determining the signal strength of the secondary
aggregated RF polling response signal, the polling signal module
304 may determine a secondary signal strength value that is
indicative of the signal strength of the secondary aggregated RF
polling response signal.
The method 600 may proceed to block 620, wherein the method 600 may
include determining if a difference between the secondary signal
strength value and the primary signal strength value is below a
predetermined threshold. In an exemplary embodiment, the polling
signal module 304 may access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the
primary signal strength value which was previously stored on the
storage unit 116 by the polling signal module 304 (as discussed at
block 614). The polling signal module 304 may compute a difference
between the secondary signal strength value and the primary signal
strength value and output a primary/secondary difference value.
It is to be appreciated that in circumstances in which the polling
signal module 304 determines that the portable device 126 is
located within more than one of the local area polling zones
132a-132f (e.g., portable device 126 is located within and within
the local area polling zone 132a and the local area polling zone
132b), the polling signal module 304 may access the storage unit
116 to retrieve the primary signal strength values associated with
the transceivers 118a-118h that are in closest proximity to the
local area polling zones 132a-132f (e.g., the transceiver 118a in
closest proximity to the local area polling zone 132a, and the
transceiver 118b in closest proximity to the local area polling
zone 132b). The polling signal module 304 may compute a respective
difference value between the secondary signal strength values and
the primary signal strength values for each of the respective
transceivers 118a-118h.
In an exemplary embodiment, upon computing the signal strength
difference value of the secondary and the primary signal strength
values, the polling signal module 304 may access the storage unit
116 to retrieve the one or more signal strength deviation threshold
values that are associated with the transceiver(s) 118a-118h that
are near to the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132e in which the
portable device 126 is determined to be located. The one or more
signal strength deviation threshold values may provide a maximum
deviation of signal strength between two or more aggregated RF
polling response signals to determine if the portable device 126 is
stationary or moving within the one or more local area polling
zones 132a-132f. It is to be appreciated that in circumstances in
which the polling signal module 304 determines that the portable
device 126 is located within more than one of the local area
polling zones 132a-132f, the polling signal module 304 may access
the storage unit 116 to retrieve the signal strength thresholds
associated with the transceivers 118a-118h that are in closest
proximity to the local area polling zones 132a-132f.
In one embodiment, upon retrieving the signal strength deviation
threshold value(s), the polling signal module 304 may compare the
primary/secondary difference value(s) to the signal strength
deviation threshold value(s). If the polling signal module 304
determines that the primary/secondary differential value(s) is
below the signal strength deviation threshold value(s), the polling
signal module 304 may determine that the primary/secondary
difference value(s) is within a predetermined stationary range and
that the portable device 126 is remaining stationary. The
predetermined stationary range may include a range of difference
values that may indicate an estimation that the portable device 126
is remaining in a stationary position within the respective local
area polling zone(s) 132a-132f.
As an illustrative example, polling signal module 304 may determine
the difference between the secondary signal strength value and the
primary signal strength value and may output the primary/secondary
difference value of 40 h. The polling signal module 304 may compare
the primary/secondary difference value of 40 h against the signal
strength deviation threshold value of 100 h and may determine that
the portable device 126 is within the predetermined stationary
range (-100 h to 100 h) and that the portable device 126 is
remaining stationary.
If it is determined that the difference between the secondary
signal strength value and the primary signal strength value is not
below the predetermined threshold (at block 620), the method 600
may proceed to block 622, wherein the method 600 may include
estimating that the portable device 126 is not stationary within
the at least one local area polling zone 132a-132f. In one
embodiment, if the polling signal module 304 determines that the
primary/secondary difference value is above the signal strength
deviation threshold value(s), the polling signal module 304 may
determine that the primary/secondary difference value is not within
the predetermined stationary range. Therefore, the polling signal
module 304 may determine that the portable device 126 is not
remaining stationary. The method 600 may then revert back to block
602, wherein the method 600 may once again include transmitting at
least one pair of low power LF polling signals to the portable
device 126, as discussed in detail above.
With continued reference to FIG. 6B, if it is determined that the
difference between the secondary signal strength value and the
primary signal strength value is below the predetermined threshold
(at block 620), the method 600 may proceed to block 626, wherein
the method 600 may include determining if a predetermined period of
time has expired. The predetermined period of time utilized by the
polling signal module 304 may be an amount of time that is deemed
to be appropriate for the individual carrying the portable device
126 to be stationary within the one or more of the local zones
132a-132h in order to safely actuate powered opening of one or more
vehicle doors 104a-104e determined to be located in closest
proximity to the portable device 126. As discussed above, the
polling signal module 304 may execute the timer that is utilized to
determine if the predetermined period of time has expired to
determine if the portable device 126 remains stationary for the
predetermined period of time.
In an exemplary embodiment, upon determining that the position of
the portable device 126 is stationary for the predetermined period
of time based upon determining that the predetermined period of
time has expired (at block 624), the polling signal module 304 may
communicate with the door actuation module 306 to determine if the
vehicle door(s) 104a-104e that is located in close proximity to the
location of the portable device 126 is closed. If the polling
signal module 304 determines that the respective vehicle door(s)
104a-140e is closed, the polling signal module 304 may send an
actuation command to the door actuation module 306 to actuate
powered opening of the vehicle door(s) 104a-104e that is located in
close proximity to the location of the portable device 126. In some
embodiments, the polling signal module 304 may only send the
actuation command to the door actuation module 306 upon determining
that the location of the portable device 126 is not within one of
the door area zones 134a-134e that may include the space occupied
by the respective vehicle door(s) 104a-104e as it is being opened
to ensure that opening of the respective vehicle door(s) 104a-104e
may not be physically obstructed by the individual that may be
carrying the portable device 126.
In one embodiment, upon receipt of the actuation command from the
polling signal module 304, the door actuation module 306 may send
one or more command signals to the power control unit 112 of the
vehicle 102 to provide a first requisite amount of power to the
respective motor(s) 106a-106e to start opening the vehicle door(s)
104a-104e that is located in close proximity to the location of the
portable device 126, based on the utilization of the signal
strength thresholds, as discussed above.
In an illustrative example, once it is determined that the portable
device 126 is stationary (e.g., standing still possibly waiting for
the tailgate door 104e to be opened) for the predetermined period
of time and that the portable device 126 is not located within the
door area zone 134e, the motor 106e is provided the first requisite
amount of power to start opening the tailgate door 104e so that the
tailgate door 104e that is configured as a lift gate door (starts
to lift into an open position.
In one embodiment, if the polling signal module 304 determines that
the position of the portable device 126 is stationary for the
predetermined period of time (at block 624), the polling signal
module 304 may communicate with the door actuation module 306 to
determine if the vehicle door(s) 104a-104e that is located in close
proximity to the location of the portable device 126 is open. If
the polling signal module 304 determines that the respective
vehicle door(s) 104a-140e is open, the polling signal module 304
may send one or more respective signals to the door actuation
module 306 to actuate powered closing of the vehicle door(s)
104a-104e. More specifically, the polling signal module 304 may
send a command signal(s) to the door actuation module 306 to
actuate the powered closing of the respective vehicle door(s)
104a-104e.
In some embodiments, the polling signal module 304 may only send
the actuation command to the door actuation module 306 upon
determining that the location of the portable device 126 is not
within the respective door area zone(s) 134a-134e that include the
space occupied by the respective vehicle door(s) 104a-104e as it is
being closed to ensure that closing of the respective vehicle
door(s) 104a-104e may not be physically obstructed by the
individual that may be carrying the portable device 126. In an
exemplary embodiment, upon receiving the command signal(s) from the
polling signal module 304, the door actuation module 306 may send
one or more command signals to the power control unit 112 to
provide a second requisite amount of power to the motor(s)
106a-106e to start powered closing the respective vehicle door(s)
104a-104e.
In an illustrative example, once it is determined that the portable
device 126 is stationary (e.g., individual carrying the portable
device 126 is standing still possibly waiting for the tailgate door
104e to be opened) for the predetermined period of time and that
the portable device 126 is not located within door area zone 134e
that includes the space occupied by the tailgate door 104e when it
may be closed, the motor 106e is provided the second requisite
amount of power to start closing the tailgate door 104e so that the
tailgate door 104e that is configured as a lift gate door starts to
drop into a closed position.
If it is determined that the predetermined period of time has not
expired (at block 624 of FIG. 6B), the polling signal module 304
may continue the portable device polling mode to continue to
evaluate data contained in the aggregated data payload portions of
one or more aggregated RF polling response signals received from
the portable device 126 to determine if the portable device 126
remains stationary for the duration of the predetermined period of
time. Accordingly, it is contemplated that the method 600 may
continue by determining if the predetermined period of time has
expired for the polling signal module 304 to continue to analyze
one or more additional subsequent LF polling response signals
(e.g., third, fourth, fifth, sixth, etc. number of subsequently
created and received aggregated RF response polling signals) from
the portable device 126 in a similar manner as discussed above
until the expiration of the predetermined period of time is
determined.
It is to be appreciated that the process of method 600 may be
utilized to open or close the vehicle door(s) 104a-104e. With
respect to the closing of the vehicle door(s) 104a-104e, the
polling signal module 304 may analyze a number of aggregated RF
polling signals against the signal strength thresholds to determine
that the portable device 126 is located outside of the one or more
door area zones 134a-134e and the portable device 126 remains
stationary for a second predetermined period of time to actuate
closing of the vehicle door(s) 104a-104e.
In one embodiment, if the polling signal module 304 determines the
vehicle door(s) 104a-104e is open and that the portable device 126
is remaining stationary for the second predetermined period of time
within the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132f and outside of the
door area zone(s) 134a-134e, the polling signal module 304 may send
one or more respective signals to the door actuation module 306 to
actuate powered closing of the vehicle door(s) 104a-104e. The
polling signal module 304 may send a command signal(s) to the door
actuation module 306 to actuate the powered closing of the
respective vehicle door(s) 104a-104e. In particular, the second
amount of power may be supplied to the motor 106a-106e associated
with the at least one vehicle door 104a-104e to close the at least
one vehicle door 104a-104e.
FIG. 7 is a process flow diagram of a method 700 for providing
energy efficient hands free vehicle door operation according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 may be
executed by the components of FIGS. 1-3 though it is to be
appreciated that the method of FIG. 7 may be executed with other
systems and/or components. The method 700 may begin at block 702,
wherein the method includes receiving a first LF polling signal of
a pair of LF polling signals transmitted from a vehicle 102 to a
portable device 126. The method 700 may proceed to block 704,
wherein the method 700 may include creating a first RF response
message packet in response to the first LF polling signal. The
method 700 may proceed to block 706, wherein the method 700 may
include receiving a second LF polling signal of the pair of LF
polling signals transmitted from the vehicle 102 to the portable
device 126. The method 700 may proceed to block 708, wherein the
method 700 includes creating a second RF response message packet in
response to the second LF polling signal. The method 700 may
proceed to block 710, wherein the method 700 may include
aggregating the first RF polling response message packet and the
second RF polling response message packet into an aggregated RF
polling response message packet that is contained within an
aggregated RF polling response signal that is transmitted from the
portable device 126 to the vehicle 102 in response to the pair of
LF polling signals.
The embodiments discussed herein may also be described and
implemented in the context of non-transitory computer-readable
storage medium storing computer-executable instructions.
Non-transitory computer-readable storage media includes computer
storage media and communication media. For example, flash memory
drives, digital versatile discs (DVDs), compact discs (CDs), floppy
disks, and tape cassettes. Non-transitory computer-readable storage
media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and
non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for
storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data
structures, modules or other data. Non-transitory computer readable
storage media excludes transitory and propagated data signals.
It can be appreciated that various implementations of the
above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives
or varieties thereof, can be desirably combined into many other
different systems or applications. Also that various presently
unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications,
variations, or improvements therein can be subsequently made by
those skilled in the art.
* * * * *